@properties Christie’s International Real Estate recently made several leadership changes to its Chicago-area team. 

Paul Blackburn, who most recently served as vice president of brokerage services for the firm’s Goose Island and North Center offices, was promoted to executive vice president of agent development and culture.  

Vice President of Brokerage Services Rachel Scheid, who leads @properties’ Gold Coast office, will fill Blackburn’s management role at Goose Island, adding that location to her portfolio, while Rick Sobin, vice president of brokerage services for East Lincoln Park and Bronzeville, will take over Blackburn’s leadership of the North Center office. 

In his new role, Blackburn will oversee @properties’ coaching and training programs; direct agent training for new technologies; and lead agent business-development initiatives across all @properties markets, including Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana, Southeast Wisconsin and Southwest Michigan. Blackburn joined @properties in 2010.  

Scheid joined @properties in 2022 as vice president of education, following management roles at Coldwell Banker Realty and Baird & Warner. She serves on the board of directors of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and was a National Association of REALTORS® “30 Under 30” recipient in 2020.  

Sobin has over two decades of real estate management experience, including 11 years with @properties. He was named Managing Broker of the Year – City, by Chicago Agent magazine in 2023.   

“Outstanding leadership is one of the most important drivers of agent success and growth, and we have the best leadership team in the country,” said Thad Wong, co-founder and co-CEO of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. “Paul, Rachel and Rick exemplify that standard. Their track records; agent-first approach; and deep knowledge of market, transaction and relationship dynamics give the agents they work with a true competitive advantage.”